AIA Exit Confirmed as Ex-Referee Chief Accepts DAZN Media Contract
Former Italian referee designator Gianluca Rocchi submitted his formal resignation to the Italian Referees’ Association on October 24. The departure establishes a complete severance from the officiating governing body to facilitate a permanent television broadcasting role with streaming platform DAZN.
DAZN Broadcast Contract Triggers Official AIA Departure for Gianluca Rocchi
The governance conflict stems directly from strict association rules that prohibit active members from providing unapproved public analysis of officiating decisions on commercial television networks. Previously required to secure individual, case-by-case authorization for single appearances, the transition to regular weekly match analysis made maintaining official membership unviable under standing regulations.
The operational shift follows complete legal clearance regarding past regulatory scrutiny. On October 1, the FIGC federal prosecutor and CONI general prosecutor officially closed an investigation into alleged VAR room interference at Lissone, confirming that no improper communications between match designators and club officials took place.
Reporting for this update was originally detailed by GianlucaDiMarzio.com.